
4.
What will God's people no more be termed? What wit the land
not be called? What names will be given to the people and the land?
Why? What is said of the land? Verse 4.
NOTE.—"Flephzi-bah" means "delight," and "Beulah" means "mar-
ried." (See margin.) This figure recalls Isaiah 54:1, where it denotes
the fruitfulness, the increase that shall come in souls saved. _
5.
What illustration is here used? How will God rejoice? Verse 5.
NOTE.—Two figures are here used. First, God's people, under a
symbol of sons, are married to the land, the virgin; second, God, as the
bridegroom, is married to the bride, His people.
In Revelation the New Jerusalem in which are God's people is
spoken of as coming down from heaven as the bride, and Christ is the
bridegroom. Rev. 21:9, 10. So in like manner the figure is here used.
6.
Whom has God set upon the walls? What shall they never do?
Verse 6, first part.
NoTE.—"The watchmen anciently placed upon the walls of Jerusa-
lem and other cities, occupied a most responsible position. Upon their
faithfulness depended the safety of all within those cities. When dan-
ger was apprehended, they were not to keep silent day or night. Every
few moments they were required to call to one another, to see if all
were awake, and no harm had come to any. Sentinels were stationed
upon some eminence overlooking the important posts to be guarded,
and the cry of warning or of good cheer was sounded from them. This
was borne from one to another, each repeating the words, till it went
the entire rounds of the city.
"These watchmen represent the ministry, upon whose fidelity de-
pends the salvation of souls. The stewards of the mysteries of God
should stand as watchmen upon the walls of Zion; and if they see the
sword coming, they should sound the note of warning. If they are
sleepy sentinels, and their spiritual senses are so benumbed that they
see and realize no danger, and the people perish, God will require their
blood at the watchmen's hands."—"Testimonies," Vol. 4, pp. 402, 403.
7.
What are those not to do who make mention of the Lord? Verse
6, last part.
NOTE.—"The Lord's remembrancers," margin. A strange expres-
sion, yet an appropriate one. In these last days when the whole world
is prone to forget His law and His memorial, "the Lord's remem-
brancers" are admonished not to keep silence.
8.
What are they told not to give the Lord? Until what time?
Verse 7.
NoTE.—"Give Him no rest." This is said as an encouragement to
prayer, to "pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. 5:17.
"Let all who are afflicted or unjustly used, cry to God. Turn away
from those whose hearts are as steel, and make your requests known to
your Maker. Never is one repulsed who comes to Him with a contrite
heart. Not one sincere prayer is lost. Amid the anthems of the celes-
tial choir, God hears the cries of the weakest human being. We pour
out our heart's desire in our closets, we breathe a prayer as we walk by
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